1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

98

Owner Complaints

16 Crashes 2 Fires

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

0

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE

The 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE has received a total of 98 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (10 complaints), Seat Belts (6 complaints), and Seat Beltsfrontretractor (6 complaints).

Recalls for the 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE, potentially affecting up to 2,344,244 vehicles.

Recall 10E059000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

| 22,689 vehicles affected

Defect: FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.

Consequence: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

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Recall 09E056000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

| 5,787 vehicles affected

Defect: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL...

Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.

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Recall 04V021000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

| 2,315,768 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

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Owner Complaints for the 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE

98 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Electrical System
Complaints: 10
Seat Belts
Complaints: 6 2 Crashes 4 Injuries
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 6 1 Injury
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 5
Structure
Complaints: 4
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
Complaints: 4 1 Injury
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 4 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Air Bags
Complaints: 3 2 Crashes 4 Injuries
Structurebody
Complaints: 3
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 4 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 2
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfront
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Seats
Complaints: 2
Steering
Complaints: 2
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Controlcables
Complaints: 2
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesinterior
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemhorn
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingfog Lightsswitch
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlightsconcealment Devices
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagestrunk Lidlock
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagefloor Shift
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionparkneutral Start Interlock Switch
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 1
Seatsmidrear Assembly
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
Complaints: 1
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
Complaints: 1
Steeringrack And Pinion
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemrear Window
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10465362 | SEAT BELTS | | 125,000 miles
SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT "PULL OUT". AT FIRST IT ONLY HAPPENED SPORADICALLY AND FOR SHORT DURATION. PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE OFTEN UNTIL BELTS HAVE NOT WORKED AT ALL FOR PAST 2-3 WEEKS. *TR
#10432941 | SUSPENSION | | 115,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT DETACHED FROM THE SOCKET WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09E056000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT), BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER PROPOSED THAT THE CONTACT PAY 50 PERCENT OF THE COST OF THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
#10425315 | SEAT BELTS | | 111,300 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT REMAINED STUCK IN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND HE WAS UNABLE TO USE THE SEATBELT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,320 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,300.
#10409017 | SEAT BELTS | | N/A miles
I HAVE A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING JXI CONVERTIBLE, THAT THE SEATBELT ARE GENERALLY USELESS. BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT BELTS LOCK AND WILL NOT RETRACK, THEREFORE YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO USE THEM. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY IN A CONVERTIBLE. I LIVE IN A STATE WHERE SEATBELTS ARE REQUIRES, BUT WHEN THEY ARE LOCKED I CAN NOT USE THEM. I HAVE NOT FOUND WHERE THE SEATBELTS HAVE BEEN RECALLED, SHOULDN'T THERE BE A LIFETIME GUARANTEE ON SEATBELTS SINCE THEY ARE A SAFETY DEVICE? I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS NOW AND IT IS AN ONGOING SITUATION WITH THE MOST RECENT BEING YESTERDAY. *TR
#10380819 | SUSPENSION:FRONT | | 15,000 miles
I WAS BACKING OUT OF A FRIENDS DRIVEWAY IN MY 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND A GRINDING SOUND. WHEN I GOT OUT TO LOOK, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY BROKE IN HALF BY THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY. I THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED AND WHEN THE TOW COMPANY CAME THEY INFORMED ME THIS WAS THE 4TH CHRYSLER CONVERTIBLE IN TWO MONTHS THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO TOW WITH THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT BREAKING. I THEN DECIDED TO CHECK FOR RECALLS AND IT TURNS OUT THERE ARE 2 RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE BUT WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP THEY INFORM ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY CAR. HOW CAN THAT BE WHEN YOU LIST THE FOLLOWING RECALLS 04V021000, 09E056000 AND 10E059000 ON YOUR WEBSITE. I AM JUST VERY THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS, LIKE TWO OF THE OTHER ACCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHARED WITH ME. TWO OF THE OTHER VEHICLES HE TOWED, THE DRIVERS WERE INJURED WHEN THE BALL JOINT BROKE AND THEY CRASHED.

View all Electrical System complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE

No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.

NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE

Other CHRYSLER Models

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